The worth of Trent’s book is undiminished by the fact that Stephen Harper is no longer Prime Minister. The concise volume provides a detailed and revealing retrospective of the Harper years and a comparative standard for current and future governments.

The approach of Remembrance Day heralds a national day of solemn respect for Canada’s war dead and provides a forum for important questions about war before our collective amnesia and historical revisionism purges certain bloody facts from history. The following comments represent my opinion on the powerful interests who profit from war, often with public subsidy. The soldier’s lot is mainly mortal risk and low pay.

Justin Trudeau, knees aching from his recent loyalty oaths to the Queen of Canada; graciously lavished public funds on Harper’s final Challenger flight to Calgary. Those who feel that Stephen Harper is entitled to this privilege probably agree that all Prime Ministers deserve publicly-subsidized housing and food during their occupation of the official residence. Alternatively, a modest apartment seems adequate for Pope Francis.

No matter what your political or ideological beliefs may be, please vote on October 19; or use an advance poll if convenient. However, before you cast your ballot you might be surprised to learn that current and past governments have spent considerable public funds researching your concerns; which they promptly ignore in favour of other priorities.

As republished in the Toronto Star 15 Sep 2015 in conjunction with Bob Wong's letter:

"Re Toll of Sept. 11 keeps climbing, year after year, Sept. 12 The title of Rosie DiManno’s article is indisputable, and the 9/11 surviving victims suffering from the after-effects of the attacks deserve our sympathy. However, radical Islam is not the sole cause of terrorism, and her cavalier dismissal of U.S. foreign policy critics as apologists speaks to her myopic belief that exculpates American imperialism in the Middle East.

As published in the Cape Breton Post: September 27, 2015 and the Victoria Standard: October 12, 2015.

Regarding the planned closure of the Baddeck courthouse I will say that bad news feels worse when delivered by smirking politicians who will never be personally affected by their decisions. It is obvious to me that community and history are irrelevant to a Nova Scotia government that cries poverty when challenged to renovate the 126 year-old Victoria County courthouse.

I don’t dispute the notion that 15-year-old Omar Khadr made a poor choice in traveling to Afghanistan and taking up arms against U.S. forces. However, labeling and prosecuting him as a war criminal continues to be both excessive and unfair.